What is an executive? explain it's function briefly

having the power to put plans, actions, or laws into effect. a person with senior managerial responsibility in a business organization. the person or branch of a government responsible for putting policies or laws into effect.

world war i had a devastating effect on german-americans and their cultural heritage. up until that point   german-americans, as a group, had been spared much of the discrimination, abuse, rejection, collective mistrust experienced by so many different racial and ethnic groups in the history of the united states. indeed, over the years, they had been viewed as a well integrated and esteemed part of american society. all of this change with the outbreak of war.  

it depends on which society you are referring to. many civilization performed rituals so the gods would with their growing season but the most well known is that of the aztecs. they would make sacrifices, usually animals, but sometimes humans as well.